Four children at the centre of a neglect case in Lower Hutt have been discharged from hospital.

Their mother, 22, and father, 25, were arrested on Thursday and charged with the neglect of their four children.

Police had found nine children at the home, which was stocked with little food. Four of the children who lived there had been sleeping on a mattress in the lounge. They were allegedly malnourished and suffering from poor hygiene, police said.

The four - aged 2, 3, 4 and five months - were treated in Hutt Hospital for serious eczema. Detective Sergeant Emma Foote said the children were now all with caregivers.

Yesterday the parents appeared in the Lower Hutt District Court. They were remanded in custody.